Parents may be taken aback by their newborn’s appearance when they see them for the first time. Frequently, newborns don’t resemble the glossy-skinned, bright-eyed babies we see in pictures or on television. Rather, their distinct features highlight how their small bodies have only recently undergone the incredible process of birth.
Many newborns have puffed eyes, wrinkled skin, and sometimes even some swelling on their heads at birth. This is a common outcome of their passage through the birth canal and is quite normal. Their back or shoulders may have fine, soft hair known as lanugo, and their skin may appear red or even blotchy.
It’s critical for parents to be aware of what to anticipate during the early stages and to realize that all of these characteristics are typical of a healthy newborn. Your baby’s appearance will change as they grow and develop over time, but those initial moments are unique and priceless. Let’s examine some of the traits that newborns typically have in more detail.
| Feature | Description |
| Skin | Soft, sometimes reddish or peeling, may have birthmarks |
| Hair | May have fine, soft hair called lanugo or none at all |
| Head shape | Can be slightly misshapen due to birth, soft spots on top |
| Eyes | Often dark or blue-gray, vision is blurry |
| Size | Usually around 18-22 inches long, weighing 6-9 pounds |
- Head
- Face
- Eyes
- Skin
- Torso
- Navel
- Extremities
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Head
Newborns typically have a head circumference of 33 to 35 centimeters. A newborn’s head is disproportionately large for their body, which may surprise mom. The baby’s head might also be shaped strangely. The baby’s head is typically oblong because of the way the birth canal formed. It will become round in shape in a few weeks, so don’t worry. It should be noted that the head shape of babies born via cesarean section remains unchanged, meaning they do not flatten.
The first day following delivery, swelling in the back of the head is common in newborns. We refer to it as a birth tumor. A newborn’s hair is typically dark on the head, but this does not guarantee that the child will always have dark hair. While most babies have a good amount of hair, some have very little.
A newborn baby has two fontanelles on their head. The fontanelle is usually closed and small in babies. On occasion, it can be discovered on the back of the infant’s head. The large fontanelle, which resembles a diamond, is situated on the baby’s head’s crown. Its dimensions can vary (up to 3×3 cm), and each child’s closure speed is unique. Sometimes parents are afraid to touch the fontanelle, but this is unwarranted since it is quite strong and cannot be harmed by combing or washing your hair.
Face
The baby’s face swells slightly right after birth, particularly if the delivery was challenging. There could be a blue tint and a compression of the cheeks. A newborn’s tongue may appear to have two tips.
The nose of a newborn is tiny and frequently flattened. You might notice white or yellowish dots on the tip of the baby’s nose. These are fatty glands showing through the baby’s thin skin.
Eyes
Due to postpartum swelling, the eyes will initially be closed, and the swollen eyelids will appear red or blue. The majority of newborns have gray or blue eyes. Parents may notice redness around the baby’s eyes if the baby’s blood vessels burst during childbirth, but this is normal and the red spots will go away quickly.
The baby’s eyes are hazy, and its gaze appears to be veiling itself and straying all the time.
The infant tries to look at the things around him, but he can’t focus his eyes just yet. Additionally, strabismus is sometimes diagnosed in newborns and goes away by the time the child is six months old.
For the first time since birth, the child does not cry. Furthermore, a lot of newborns lack eyelashes and eyebrows.
Skin
Initially, the newborn’s body contains a large amount of vernix caseosa, a white substance. This material is eliminated after the infant has been cleaned with oil. After birth, babies’ skin is frequently extremely dry for a while. In the abdomen and chest, it may even start to peel.
A newborn baby’s skin tone is typically reddish-blue, and the skin appears extremely thin. The baby’s skin tone does not suggest that it is cold in the slightest. Physiological jaundice causes the baby’s skin to turn yellow by the third day of life.
The baby has tiny hairs called lanugo on its back and shoulders. The baby’s body has a lot more of this fluff if it is born prematurely. Fear not—during the first few weeks of life, these hairs will diminish and eventually disappear.
Torso
The body of a newborn baby has the following characteristics:
- Short neck, and a convex belly.
- The circumference of the baby"s chest is on average 31-33 centimeters.
- The baby"s mammary glands may be slightly swollen and milk may be released from them, which is normal and should not cause concern for parents (this condition is called a hormonal crisis).
- A newborn weighs an average of 3400-3500 grams (boys usually weigh more), and the baby"s height is on average 50 cm (boys will also be taller).
Many people are surprised to see how different newborns often look. Their skin may appear red or purple immediately after birth, and they may have a waxy substance called vernix covering them. Their eyes may be swollen, and their head may appear somewhat deformed from giving birth. Babies’ hair varies; some are born bald, while others have a full head of hair. Their distinct characteristics make them ideal just the way they are, even though over time their appearance rapidly changes as they adapt to the outside world.
Navel
During childbirth, a clamp is placed over the umbilical cord; the small portion of the cord that is left under the clamp usually dries up before the maternity ward is released. The baby has a small wound on its body that bleeds and soon forms a crust when the remaining umbilical cord falls off. The staff at the maternity hospital instructs and demonstrates to the new mother how to take care of this wound.
Extremities
A newborn’s arms appear excessively long at first and move erratically all the time. A newborn’s hands are clenched, and their arms and legs are pressed against their body when they are at rest—this is known as the flexor position. You will notice skin gathered in folds on the wrists because the baby has almost no subcutaneous fat.
The baby appears to have shorter legs than arms. Their continuous semi-bent state only serves to accentuate this impression. But the feet appear incredibly big.
The baby’s abnormalities in blood circulation are linked to the feet’s prolonged bluish tint. In addition, the skin on the feet appears extremely thin and wrinkled.
The baby’s nails may be clipped off as soon as possible after birth, even though they are soft and can splinter the body. There is nothing to cut off because only premature babies have nails that end at the tip of the nail bed after birth.
Although a newborn’s appearance can surprise you, it’s vital to remember that every baby is different. Their eyes, hair, and skin may not look like what you would expect, but these characteristics will change as they mature.
Babies are strong and resilient, quickly adjusting to life outside the womb despite their fragile appearance. Their features will gradually become more distinct, and you’ll start to see hints of their personality emerging.
In the end, your newborn’s entire appearance serves as a constant reminder of the amazing journey they have just completed. They will grow and amaze you every day if you give them love and care.
